Pulaski County was awarded money through the state’s Community Crossings grant fund, but exactly which projects are earmarked for completion is not yet known.
Community Crossings funds were announced for Northern Indiana at the end of August and Pulaski County was among the recipients. The grant program was established by the General Assembly earlier this year, allocating nearly $160-million to help fund infrastructure improvements throughout the Hoosier State.
While Pulaski County received $482-thousand for their projects, the list selected by INDOT will be announced next week. Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff says they applied to fund five projects in total.
“I don’t know how they did the two small towns.,” says Ruff. “I don’t know for sure how it got split up. On [September] 14th, we’ll know.”
Many communities used their special Local Option Income Tax Distribution from the state as their matching share for the Community Crossings application. Up to $1-million could be received for road, bridge, and ADA compliance projects.
The Town of Winamac was granted $146-thousand while Medaryville and Francesville received $100-thousand and $85-thousand, respectively.
The Highway Department also asked the county commissioners to consider selling some of the surplus army equipment being stored at the highway department facility. Ruff says there are a number of projects that could better use the space.
“With the NIPSCO lines coming through, and we’ve got fill dirt available.,” says Ruff. “We need places to put stuff and we’ve got a whole back lot full of army vehicles.”
The commissioners recommended speaking with the Pulaski County Sheriff and the EMA Director to ensure the items can be sold under the law before considering putting the vehicles up for auction.
The military surplus was distributed to local entities of government several years ago.
